Several providers of wind flags state “Extremely Sensitive“.  Be aware that this term can also be defined as overly busy, jittery, nervous, jerking, searching, twitching and fluttering.  This erratic action is the normal response to the wind’s true energy.  But this term is far overused and can lead to confusion and eventual disappointment if not fully understood.  Extremely Sensitive wind flags will usually require some type of damping, off-balance or adding resistance to counteract and naturalize the erratic motions.  This appears to be in direct contradiction to “Extremely Sensitive”.

 

The reasons for an over activity & jittery wind flag is easily understood:

  1. A wind flag that is unstable is actually reacting to the wind’s true energy.
  2. Perfectly balanced with each end of the wind flag responding equally to the wind.
  3. Pivot point position.
  4. Nothing to naturalize the over-reaction.  
  5. Ultra-lightweight flag reacting to the winds the actual movement.
  6. An unbalanced Daisy wheel or propeller causes the jerking action. 
  7. Large heavy Daisy wheel or propeller that is heavier than the tail?
  8. Large Daisy wheel or propeller acting as a flywheel or gryo.
  9. Tail attached streamer controlling the direction of the flag more than the tail.
  10. Unable to accurately maintain balance with a streamer attached.
  11. Expecting a streamer to correctly identify wind actions.  The winds energy lifts the streamer and gravity pulls it down.
  12. Long length wind flags typically swing slower and more widely than the shorter ones.  The wide swing requires extra effort to react and direction change.
  13. A fully loaded wind flag with a large Daisy wheel and a streamer may look nice, but working against each other.
  14. Tail configurations for differing styles or custom shapes.  How can they perform equally?

If you are relying on a basic type of wind flag to display every wind movement, their design does not allow for that.  Wind flags have no ability to display vertical wind motion or intensity.  They cannot return to a “Neutral Position” when no wind movement exists and are left pointing at their “Last Activity Direction”.  

Consistency is important as multiple wind flags setup must react equally to each other.  Any differences will provide false or delayed information and add to doubt and confusion.

Multi-function wind flags that attempt to identify several elements of the activity of the wind at the same time are in direct conflict with each other.  Each is attempting to gain control of the flag.  

If you are not using something to understand the wind, those that are will consistency defeat you, If you occasionally win it’s “Pure Luck”.

 

With all the negative elements the wind flag has, it is still the most important basic and effective tool we have to provide us with help understanding the wind.  Several tools, options, and accessories are available to further monitor the wind’s actual energy, direction, and effect, but none can truly replace the wind flag.  The wind flag should be the first item obtained by the serious target shooter who is attempting increased accuracy results.